Novel Pt(II) complexes containing pyrrole oxime; synthesis, characterization and DNA binding studies

• Novel Pt(II) complexes with a pyrrole oxime were synthesized and characterized.
• DNA interaction of Pt(II) complexes was studied using CV, DPV and spectroscopic techniques.
• Nuclease activity of the Pt(II) complexes was examined.

Since the discovery of anticancer activity and subsequent clinical success of cisplatin (cis-[PtCl2(NH3)2]), platinum-based compounds have since been widely synthesized and studied as potential chemotherapeutic agents. In this sense, three novel nuclease active Pt(II) complexes with general formula; [Pt(NH3)Cl(L)] (1), [Pt(L)2] (2), and K[PtCl2(L)] (3) in which L is 1-H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde oxime were synthesized. Characterization of complexes was performed by elemental analysis, FT-IR, 1H NMR and mass spectroscopy measurements. Interaction of complexes (1–3) with calf thymus deoxyribonucleic acid (ct-DNA) was investigated by using electrochemical, spectroelectrochemical methods and cleavage studies. The hyperchromic change in the electronic absorption spectrum of the Pt(II) complexes indicates an electrostatic interaction between the complexes and ct-DNA. Binding constant values between 4.42 × 103 and 5.09 × 103 M−1 and binding side size values between 2 and 3 base pairs were determined from cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) studies.